Answers

As you wrote, the samples come with project files which do not contain the "Release" configuration.

It is like Davail already said, it is not difficuilt. Most debug stuff is disabled using /MD or /MT setting for the compiler.

I'd be happy to know which settings should I change to make the compiler compile in release mode and apply optimizations.

In general you can do optimizing setting in the project properties in "C/C++ - Optimization" tree. You can decide in what way you want to optimize (speed , Code size....) You also disable the "Generate Debug Info" in the project properties "Linker - Debugging"
tree. At all it is not so complicated to disable the debug stuff. It is clearly named. just check out all settings in "C/C++" and "Linker" tree of your project properties.

Moreover, how can I have indication in which mode the compiler is working?

You see this in your settings you made if your debug stuff is on or off. It is surely recommended that you name your "release" configuration in a way that you know it is a release configuration with no debug info.

At all my debug configurations are all named "Debug xxxx" (xxxx may be special stuff i.e. if I link statically or with some special test code or whatever). All my release configuration without debug information are named "Release xxxx" (xxxx may also describe
special stuff).

I'd recommend creating a new configuration. If you open the Dropidown of the "Debug" configuration, you will find an additional item named "Configuration manager". Select this and a windows will open. On this window you also select the option "new" and you
should create a new configuration based on your debug configuration. You give this configuration a name you like and in this configuration you can change the compiler / linker settings in the project properties.

In general if you use /MT instead of /MTd the IDE uses the release versions of the runtime library instead of the debug library. But at least if you use /MT you are not able to watch variables during debugging since the debug infos are missing.

The option for release mode in the Configuration drop down list does not exists.

I'm trying to apply some optimizations in my compiler yet they work in Release Mode only.

Is there a way to enforce / switch to Release Mode configuration?

I've tried everything with no success.
The other users in Adobe forum told me setting the switch to /MT instead of /MTd is enought, yet it is not.

Did your project files (.sln, .vcxproj) come with the sample, or did you create them yourself?

In any case, would it be possible for you to create a new project and add your files to it?

When you create a new project, it comes with Debug and Release configurations. They differ in the CRT version used (/MD or /MT for Release, /MDd or /MTd for Debug) and the optimization settings (active for Release, disabled for Debug), and various macros. I'm
sure it is possible to create a Release configuration by copying the Debug version and changing the settings, but I think you might find it easier to start with a fresh project.

As you wrote, the samples come with project files which do not contain the "Release" configuration.

It is like Davail already said, it is not difficuilt. Most debug stuff is disabled using /MD or /MT setting for the compiler.

I'd be happy to know which settings should I change to make the compiler compile in release mode and apply optimizations.

In general you can do optimizing setting in the project properties in "C/C++ - Optimization" tree. You can decide in what way you want to optimize (speed , Code size....) You also disable the "Generate Debug Info" in the project properties "Linker - Debugging"
tree. At all it is not so complicated to disable the debug stuff. It is clearly named. just check out all settings in "C/C++" and "Linker" tree of your project properties.

Moreover, how can I have indication in which mode the compiler is working?

You see this in your settings you made if your debug stuff is on or off. It is surely recommended that you name your "release" configuration in a way that you know it is a release configuration with no debug info.

At all my debug configurations are all named "Debug xxxx" (xxxx may be special stuff i.e. if I link statically or with some special test code or whatever). All my release configuration without debug information are named "Release xxxx" (xxxx may also describe
special stuff).